CB Richard Ellis Announces Carbon Neutral Goal
A major commercial real estate services firm recently announced plans to go carbon-neutral in its own space and plans to assist clients with energy efficiency programs in the space it manages.
A major commercial real estate services firm recently announced plans to go carbon-neutral in its own space and plans to assist clients with energy efficiency programs in the space it manages.
CB Richard Ellis Group plans to go carbon neutral by 2010. This represents the first time a major commercial real estate services firm has announced plans to go carbon-neutral, according to the company.
CB Richard Ellis is also working closely with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to introduce new energy saving measures at client-owned and -occupied properties. Working with both owners and tenants, the company expects to engage its clients in discussions about environmental issues with a goal of implementing energy saving technology and practices at the vast majority of its clients’ properties and corporate facilities.
The initiative is a response to the growing demand for green facilities from both clients and employees. “Our clients are driving toward energy savings and solid, sustainable environmental performance,” says Brett White, president and chief executive officer of CB Richard Ellis. “We see a great opportunity to partner with them to improve their operational performance and help protect the climate at the same time. The relationship with NRDC will help us to uncover new ideas that we hope our clients will adopt at their properties.”
Energy use in buildings is responsible for 40 percent of U.S. global warming emissions, according to NRDC, which has spent over two decades working on energy issues, and has played a role in creating and improving efficiency standards at both the state and federal levels.
At the facilities it occupies, CB Richard Ellis expects to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2010 through a combination of energy savings, more efficient space utilization, carbon emissions reductions and, if necessary, through investments in carbon offsets.
In addition, the company recently registered its new Washington, D.C. office with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Commercial Interiors program, and expects to be awarded Gold status.
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